Reform Jewish Rabbinate Elects New Leader
HUC-JIR alumna Rabbi Ellen W. Dreyfus will be installed as President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the oldest and largest rabbinic organization in North America. In 2004, HUC-JIR awarded her the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, for 25 years of distinguished service to the Jewish people.

Spotlight on HUC-JIR's Programs and
Research Resources

HUC-JIR/LA Donates Books to World Tolerance Forum in Pakistan
Pakistani Muslims, inspired by the legacy of Daniel Pearl, have established an Interfaith Forum in Faisalabad, Pakistan. In preparation for the official inauguration of their Center on February 21, they requested books on Judaism, which were provided by HUC-JIR/LA. These books will constitute the first "Jewish bookshelf" in the newly formed interfaith library at the Center, and possibly the only "Jewish bookshelf" in Pakistan.

This event is part of a two-day strategic convening on the topic of LGBT inclusion in synagogues. The Institute for Judaism & Sexual Orientation and Jewish Mosaic, in collaboration with Dr. Steven M. Cohen, have been conducting research on how synagogues across all Jewish movements respond to diversity issues.

HUC-JIR/LA Observes Founders Day; SJCS Celebrates 40 Years
The Los Angeles campus observed its annual Founders Day program on Tuesday, February 10th, in conjunction with a major conference honoring its School of Jewish Communal Service on the occasion of that School's 40th anniversary, while paying tribute to its Founding Director, Professor Gerald Bubis. The Chairman of the Board of the Los Angeles Jewish Federation, and former HUC-JIR Board of Governors Chair, Stanley Gold, offered his perspective as lay leader on the re-visioning of the LA Federation.

New Artists Share their Work at HUC-JIR/LA: Doni – and Marcia Falk
Marked, an exhibit by Doni –, and Inner East: Illuminated Poetry and Blessings, by Marcia Falk, will be on view through June 30, 2009, at HUC-JIR/LA. Doni – says, "A preoccupation with marking and a profound respect for time initially inspired this work." Poet, translator, and painter Marcia Falk weds pencil drawings and oil pastel paintings with passages from two of her books, The Song of Songs: Love Lyrics from the Bible and The Book of Blessings: New Jewish Prayers for Daily Life, the Sabbath, and the New Moon Festival.

HUC-JIR in the News

Praying for the Country - JTA
Rabbi Joel Schwartzman, C '75, was invited to deliver an invocation at the presidential signing of the stimulus bill on Tuesday. He gave a three- minute prayer Tuesday afternoon at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. "I tried to strike an optimistic note and reflect that when Americans have been down, they've come back stronger -- and hopefully that's where we're headed," said Rabbi Schwartzman, who got to shake President Obama's hand. Rabbi Schwartzman added that it was a great honor. "To pray for the nation, that's as good as it can get in terms of being patriotic and being part of a country that I was born in and have served and loved."

New Brunswick Rabbi Leads U.S. Senate Prayer - New Jersey Jewish News
Rabbi Daniel Fellman delivered the invocation for the United States Senate on January 29, 2009. Rabbi Fellman composed his own prayer for the occasion, asking God to help the lawmakers fulfill their responsibilities in the "sacred calling of leading the nation." When Fellman was studying for the rabbinate at HUC-JIR/Cincinnati, his father spoke with Sen. Nelson about arranging for his son to deliver the senatorial invocation.

Jews Can Find Similarities in Current Crisis, Depression - The Jewish Journal
Steven F. Windmueller, Dean of HUC-JIR/LA, writes, "In the context of understanding both the events surrounding the Depression of 1929 and the current global economic crisis, it may be of value to examine other similar trends, shared challenges and potential opportunities that shaped the lives of America's Jews and its communal institutions."

Upcoming Events at HUC-JIR

Rabbi Dantowitz at Brown University
Rabbi Faith Joy Dantowitz, Director of Admissions and Recruitment at HUC-JIR/NY, will spend February 20-21 at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where she will meet with NFTY and URJ camp alumni and students interested in HUC-JIR. Rabbi Dantowitz will deliver the d'var torah during Friday evening services at the Brown Hillel.

School of Sacred Music to Present Composers' Showcase on March 26th
Save the Date for the School of Sacred Music's HUC-JIR Composers' Showcase on Thursday, March 26, 2009. The concert will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Minnie Petrie Synagogue at HUC-JIR/NY. The concert will feature original works by current HUC-JIR students and faculty in a variety of styles, including liturgical, folk, and other Jewish music.

Founded in 1875, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is the nation's oldest institution of
higher Jewish education and the academic, spiritual, and professional development center of Reform Judaism.
HUC-JIR educates men and women for service to American and world Jewry as rabbis, cantors, educators, and
communal service professionals and offers graduate and post-graduate degree programs for scholars of all faiths.
With campuses in Cincinnati, Los Angeles, New York, and Jerusalem, HUC-JIR's scholarly resources comprise
renowned library, archive, and museum collections, the American Jewish Archives, biblical archaeology
excavations, research centers and institutes, and academic publications. HUC-JIR invites the community to an array
of cultural and educational programs that illuminate Jewish history, culture, and contemporary creativity, and
foster interfaith and multi-ethnic understanding.Visit us atwww.huc.edu.